Steven R. Kramer

• Hashmi v. All Taxi Management, Inc. et al. (Supreme Court, Queens County, Index No.: 2778/2016/March 23, 2023) – decision awarding summary judgment in favor of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and two dealers in vehicle fire product liability lawsuit.
• Caceres v. Toyota Motor North America, Inc., et al. (Appellate Division, Second Department/May 10, 2023) – unanimous decision in favor of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and Toyota Motor North America, Inc., reversing trial court decision and granting summary judgment dismissing complaint and all cross-claims in franchisor liability lawsuit.
• Seneca Insurance Co., et al. v. Calling Grace Productions LLC, et al. (Supreme Court, Ulster County, Index No.: EF2021-2704/November 1, 2022) – decision granting pre-answer motion to dismiss, dismissing complaint against Japanese-based client on personal jurisdiction grounds and denying jurisdictional discovery.
• Michael v. General Motors, LLC –18-3658-cv (CM) (S.D.N.Y.), aff’d 2019 WL 5561211 (2d Cir. 2019) – summary judgment dismissal of air bag and seat belt defect claims.
• Ettenheim v. General Motors LLC (Supreme Court New York County/Index No. 10845/2001) – pre-answer dismissal of case of first impression alleging a vehicle was defective by not having warnings about the danger of opening doors into oncoming traffic.
• Pollard v. Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Capital Corporation, 66 A.D.3d 862 (2d Dept. 2009) – summary judgment affirmed by unanimous Appellate Division, Second Department, for investment bank and loan servicer in a toxic tort action arising from a mortgage-backed security foreclosure.
• Berezouschi v. 65 Jessup Realty LLC (Supreme Court Bronx County/Index No.: 18788/2001) – defense jury verdict in Bronx County involving loss of vision claim.
• Acosta v. 501 West 171st Street Corp. (Supreme Court New York County/Index No.: 107711/2002) – defense jury verdict in lead paint case where liability was conceded, and medical causation was tried to a defense verdict.

The Product Liability Practice Group at Eckert Seamans defends product liability cases in both state and federal courts in nearly every jurisdiction across the country. Our trial lawyers defend class actions, mass torts, complex litigation, multidistrict litigation, and single lawsuits on behalf of manufacturers in all industries, including automotive, pharmaceutical and medical device, industrial and agriculture equipment, and consumer products. We also serve these industries as national trial counsel, national and regional coordinating counsel, and local counsel in product liability litigation.

Eckert Seamans is nationally recognized for coordinating the defense of multidistrict litigation, mass tort litigation, and document management. Our Product Liability Group was selected for inclusion in the Product Liability Law360 100, which showcases the 100 U.S.-based firms with the most product liability partners globally. As national and regional coordinating counsel in mass tort litigation, and in conjunction with the firm’s E-Discovery and Information Management Group, our product liability attorneys work closely with their clients to coordinate and manage discovery to ensure efficiency and uniformity across jurisdictions. Eckert Seamans attorneys also have extensive experience in devising and implementing settlement programs in mass tort cases.

While our Products Liability Group has particular expertise in automotive; pharmaceutical and medical device; and agricultural, construction, mining, and industrial equipment, including outdoor power equipment, as noted in the focus areas tab, Eckert Seamans attorneys also have broad product liability experience defending manufacturers and distributors of a wide range of products, including consumer products such as consumer electronics, household appliances, toys, personal care items, sporting equipment, clothing, and cosmetics; as well food, beverage, and food-processing products; transportation products; lawn and garden equipment; hand and power tools; chemicals; elevators; carpets and wood flooring; and amusement rides.

Eckert Seamans is a full-service national law firm with a strong reputation and history of success that spans more than 65 years. With approximately 300 lawyers across a network of 15 offices, we provide clients with proactive, solution-oriented business and litigation counsel.

We thrive in our legal and business communities because our founders, and all those who came after them, shared a vision and a commitment to be a guiding law firm strengthened by knowledgeable and compassionate attorneys who prioritize results and solutions for our clients.  Our clients return and refer others to our firm because we are consistent and successful in our business approach, and it shows in our results. We are honored to be an internationally recognized full-service law firm with a history of success that spans more than six decades.

Through our partnership with SCG Legal, a global network of over 119 independent law firms with more than 12,000 attorneys, our clients’ cross-border transactions and disputes are handled seamlessly with alliance firms’ help. This network also offers us access to evolving legislation and real-time business developments anywhere in the world.